THE wife of North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un is rumoured to be pregnant after pictures of her wearing what looks like a maternity dress have appeared.

Ri Sol-ju was photographed at a recent sporting event alongside her husband.

In the photo - featured on the front of the state-run Rodong Sinmun newspaper - she was wearing a similar outfit to a dress she wore two years ago at the time of her last pregnancy.

She appeared to have put on considerable weight since she was last seen in public in mid-December.

That last appearance came just days after Kim had ordered the execution of his uncle, Jang Song Thaek, regarded as North Korea’s second-most powerful man, on charges of corruption, drug abuse and womanising.

TV footage showed Ri Sol-ju, 31, looking gaunt and unsettled amid rumours she too had fallen out of favour with her volatile husband.

The couple already have a daughter and the North Korean dictator is rumoured to have another daughter by a mistress. Observers say if the rumours are true Kim will be hoping for a son to continue his family dynasty.